The Top 10 Fruits Americans Love (and Why!)
Plenty of fruits are native to America, including the tasty and nutritious apples, peaches, and cherries we're all familiar with. But there are plenty of other American-grown fruits that aren't as well known but deserve your attention nonetheless. Here are the top 10 American fruits most people don't know about and why you should get to know them!
1) Apples
Apples have been a top choice for favorite American fruit since the 1840s. Today, these fruits are known for their crunchy and juicy taste. They are an ideal addition to any meal, snack, or dessert and are available in a wide variety of varieties to suit every taste. Apple trees grow abundantly in most parts of the United States; however, they can only thrive when planted in proper soils with enough rainfall or irrigation. Apples are a great fruit choice as they are low in calories yet high in fiber and vitamins like C and A! In fact, one study found that people who ate at least one apple per day were 44% less likely to develop type-2 diabetes than those who did not eat apples at all! Furthermore, apples can help maintain blood sugar levels by slowing down digestion and absorption of sugars into the bloodstream. With so many reasons to enjoy this delicious fruit, it is no wonder why it is America's favorite!
2) Bananas
Bananas are the top most-consumed fruit in America because they're so versatile and easy to eat. You can peel them for a quick and nutritious snack, put them in your cereal or smoothie for breakfast, add them to your lunchtime sandwich or wrap, slice them on top of cake and ice cream or whip up a healthy banoffee pie. On their own, they make the perfect portable, potassium-packed snack that you can easily stash in your bag on the go. Plus, they taste great with chocolate—did we mention that already? Try our simple vegan banana bread recipe if you don't believe us! 1 1⁄2 cups flour
1⁄2 cup vegan butter
3⁄4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1⁄2 tsp salt
Three medium-sized bananas, mashed (about 1 1⁄4 cups) 1/2 cup non-dairy milk
1/3 cup vegan margarine, melted
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup walnuts, chopped 1⁄4 cup dark chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease an 8x8-inch pan. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In another bowl, beat together the margarine and brown sugar until fluffy using an electric mixer. Add in the mashed bananas and mix well; stir in vanilla extract. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients; stir until just combined - do not overmix! Spread batter into prepared pan, sprinkle with cinnamon and bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
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3) Oranges
Orange is also known as a healthy fruit since it contains more than just vitamin C. It's rich in antioxidants that protect cells from damage. Oranges are a good source of potassium and fiber, and they offer a natural source of calcium. Additionally, because oranges have low calories, you can add them to your diet for little or no cost. Vitamin C helps to prevent colds and boost the immune system, which is why eating oranges is good for you on a regular basis. One medium-sized orange offers 120% of your daily needs of vitamin C! Now let's get into the list of how many oranges we eat per day! 63%. Bananas: Bananas contain a lot of potassium, magnesium, vitamin B6, and manganese which are essential nutrients for heart health. Eating bananas can help control blood pressure levels by preventing high blood pressure and reducing the risk of stroke. In addition to being easy to carry around and easy to eat, bananas have less sugar than most other fruits but still provide plenty of sweetness without all the added calories.
4) Strawberries
Americans love to show their appreciation for the strawberry, and it's not just because of its' sweet flavor. Strawberries are a versatile fruit, which means they can be eaten at any time of day—even in desserts like pie. Even though they're usually green when picked, consumers are still drawn to them because they turn bright red as they ripen. In fact, some strawberry plants even have variegated leaves that show off colors of white, pink, and red! There's also research suggesting strawberries can improve cardiovascular health. That being said, you don't have to break the bank for your taste buds; these little berries can be grown anywhere around the world and typically cost less than $5 per pound! - Blueberries: The next big thing on this list is blueberries. They may not be as popular now as they were 100 years ago, but there's no denying the deliciousness of this little berry. America has come to appreciate this tasty fruit thanks to its high concentration of antioxidants, beta-carotene, and vitamin C, making them an easy go-to for healthy snacking. Plus, with their versatility—they're perfect raw or cooked into dishes such as pies or cobbler—it's no wonder blueberry bushes have been planted all over North America.- Apples: As the third most popular berry in America, apples make up about 40% of our fresh fruit consumption. And with good reason too!
5) Grapes
Grapes are a popular and very nutritious fruit, perfect for snacking or adding to salads and other recipes. Studies have shown that grapes can help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, improve sleep, lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure, reduce wrinkles, increase brain health, and more! Grapes are packed with antioxidants which will also help strengthen your immune system to fight off colds. Grapes are high in vitamin C, calcium, potassium, and vitamin K- all great nutrients for women who want healthy bones! They're also a great source of fiber, so they'll keep you feeling full without packing on pounds. Add them to a green salad or eat them by themselves as an afternoon snack- either way, you won't regret it!
Fruit is often one of our go-to snacks when we feel like something sweet. It's convenient, tasty, and better than most packaged alternatives out there. However, some people still consider eating fruit to be healthy, while others think it's too high in sugar. We don't blame those people; when you really break down fruits' nutrition facts, it doesn't always make sense why many experts encourage us to start every day with berries on top of our cereal! It turns out that many fruits are jam-packed with vitamins and minerals but still contain more sugar than originally thought.
6) Tomatoes
It's easy to see why tomatoes top the list. They're a vegetable that pairs well with anything: pasta, salads, pizza, hamburgers, sandwiches, roasted veggies, and more. Tomatoes are in season all year round, and they're so versatile! Choose from heirloom varieties or juicy cherry tomatoes. Their high water content means they have a natural sweetness to them as well. When they're fully ripe, their skin will be bright red, and their flesh will give way when you gently squeeze it between your fingers. They'll also give off that sweet-smelling aroma when cut open! Look for ones that are plump and heavy for their size, with no brown spots on the skin. If you want to speed up ripening at home, place your tomatoes in a paper bag along with an apple or banana. Store them away from direct sunlight until they reach room temperature, then refrigerate them until ready to use.
Washing is optional since most commercial varieties have been sprayed with pesticides during growth. You can also go organic by choosing heirloom tomatoes grown without chemical fertilizers or pesticides!
7) Avocados
Avocados have been climbing in popularity for the past decade and, this year, are number three on the list of America's favorite fruits. But why? Here are just a few reasons to eat your avocado each day: -Good fats: Avocados have healthy monounsaturated fats that can reduce bad cholesterol levels in the blood. -Potassium and fiber: Just one serving of avocado has 35% of your daily recommended amount of potassium and 15% of your recommended fiber intake. -Protein-packed: One serving offers almost 20% of your required protein intake for the day. They're also great for skin health thanks to their high vitamin A content. While avocados are delicious on toast or salads, you can also make them into guacamole or whip up an avocado smoothie with almond milk. The sky is the limit when it comes to what you can do with avocados! Want some more recipes? Check out our Pinterest board, where we've pinned some of our favorites.
8) Pears
Apples, oranges, pears, and strawberries are the fruits people purchase most often in the United States. The differences in a few of these popular fruits can determine what's healthy for you or not. To put it simply, apples are a good source of fiber and pack on antioxidants that may help your heart stay healthy. Bananas contain potassium which will help with muscle recovery after a hard workout, as well as aid in proper digestion. As for oranges, they're full of vitamin C, which helps boost your immune system to fight off infections. While pears are low in calories, high in fiber and rich in vitamin C, which can also help keep your energy levels up for an extended period of time. Strawberries, on the other hand, have many benefits when eaten raw. They're loaded with antioxidants and are said to be rich in anti-aging properties. Lastly, while this is probably the one fruit you've heard the least about, watermelon is one of the top-selling items at American grocery stores every year! With all these benefits, it makes sense why America loves them so much!
9) Blueberries
As the name implies, blueberries are a dark blue fruit native to North America. They can be eaten fresh or dried and consumed in various desserts. A one-cup serving provides you with 44% of your daily value of vitamin C and 100% of your daily value of manganese, an essential mineral for energy production. In addition, it has been found that consumption may help reduce inflammation and cell damage caused by free radicals in the body.
Blueberries grow best in acidic soil with about a pH between 4.5-6.5, which is often not found on garden plots because it could lead to damage from frost and acid rain, among other things. Furthermore, they have a very low tolerance to salt spray, which makes them difficult to grow commercially. Despite these challenges, many people find the health benefits worth it and have taken up gardening specifically so they can plant their own blueberry bushes!
10) Lemons/Limes
Lemons and limes are native to India and Southeast Asia. These fragrant fruits have been growing in popularity due to their citrusy flavor, which can be utilized in a multitude of ways. They are often used as an ingredient in beverages, marinades, dressings, sauces, desserts, and more. Lemons are popular for reducing toxins and acidity levels in the body, while limes offer the same benefits but with a sweeter taste. Other benefits include their high amount of vitamin C and their ability to fight acne. The only downside is that both lemons and limes are acidic, so care should be taken when using them on certain surfaces, such as wood furniture.
Lemons come from one of two varieties: Eureka or Lisbon. Eureka, meaning I found it! In Greek. It was discovered near LA in 1873 by farmer Eliza Tibbets and introduced commercially by Tibbets & Company Nursery, who owned the plant patent. The fruit was originally called Tibbets' Special.
Lisbon is grown worldwide, especially for export markets like North America, where it is grown on large-scale farms mostly by volume. There are many different variations of Lisbon, including Eureka, Meyer, Swingle, and Hamlin. For example, a winter lemon typically has an oblong shape with smooth skin. A summer lemon has thinner skin than its winter counterpart and comes in many shapes, including oval, round and conical. The color ranges from green to yellow, depending on how ripe they are and the season they were harvested.
Lemons contain Vitamin C, which helps promote immune system health and aids in strengthening collagen production for strong hair and nails, among other things. Lemons also contain minerals, including calcium which helps maintain bone density, along with potassium which assists muscles during workouts by acting as electrolytes.
Conclusion
While watermelon is the most popular fruit in America, there are a wide variety of fruits that Americans love. As we enter into summer, it's a good time to make sure you're enjoying the fruits that your country is known for. Here are the top ten:
-Watermelon - 94% of people surveyed liked this! We love to cut them into chunks and add fresh mint for an extra kick! With a lower sugar content than other fruit, watermelon also makes for one of the healthier choices.
-Peaches - 96% of people polled loved these delicious, sweet treats! Soft and juicy, they're greatly chilled on their own or dipped in some fresh cream and honey. -Nectarines - 97% of people who tried nectarines liked them! They're juicy and tart with just enough sweetness. One thing to watch out for is the fuzzies at the stem end, which can be removed by using a vegetable peeler or knife.
-Cantaloupe - 98% of those who tried cantaloupe enjoyed it! The orange flesh has a smooth texture while being surprisingly dense, considering its light flavor.
-Bananas - 99% liked bananas! What's not to like? They have plenty of fiber, potassium, and vitamin C and are low calorie making them one of our favorite snacks year-round.
-Apples - 99% found apples very tasty!
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